NEW THAMESPORT INTERMODAL SERVICE
Back to Headlines | Posted October 2005 |  | | 
| | Award-winning intermodal haulier Containerlift today reported a successful first week for their new rail service from Thamesport, delivering deepsea containers direct from the quayside to the Capital, and breathing new life into London’s largest intermodal terminal at Willesden.
The new daily service which started on Tuesday, carries up to 80 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) each way, leaving Thamesport at 0420 and arriving at Willesden at 0625, ready for morning deliveries into London. Containerlift vehicles provide local collection and delivery for containers in and around London as required. Trains are being hauled by EWS, the UK’s largest rail freight operator, who is also provide handling and storage facilities at Willesden.
Doug Baker, Managing Director of Containerlift, said of the new service:
‘It is a sign of how far the rail industry has improved, and how far road haulage from ports has worsened, that we can offer an intermodal rail service over distances as short as 50 miles on a fully commercial basis, and wholly without grant assistance. It is also testimony to the strength of our relationship with EWS that together we can offer a competitive end-to-end service, including terminal lifts, road and rail haulage.
This new service is a direct response to calls from our existing customers to offer an alternative to road haulage, in sufficient volumes to make rail a competitive option. To make the intermodal experience as seamless as possible, we will manage the whole process for the end customers, from quayside to doorstep, including Customs clearance if required.
Concerns about fuel prices, traffic congestion, the Working Time Directive and the nationwide shortage of HGV drivers means we will be looking to increase the capacity on this and other routes, to link ports and inland interchanges. Quite apart from the commercial and operational benefits which the new rail service will bring, transfer of freight from road to rail also delivers considerable environmental benefits, reducing the role of road haulage down to final delivery to the customer.
We are delighted with the performance of the train service this week, both operationally and with loadings - every train into Willesden running full or close to capacity - and we look forward to rolling out more services, to continue to keep pace with customer demands.” | |  | Containerlift Newsletter
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